In 1985, the second wave of Generation 1 deviated from the realistic cars, jets, and guns selection in the first series. However, many of the molds were still sourced from Takara’s previous toylines, such as the Insecticons like Bombshell. Bombshell transformers into a robotic weevil, probably of the family Curculionidae.

US Patent for G1 Bombshell

Origins

Like all the (non-Deluxe) Insecticons, Bombshell started his existence in Takara’s Diaclone, designed by Takashi Matsuda as the Insecter Robo Kabutron. This version of the toy is noticeably different from the Transformers release, with a primarily red body and a translucent red chestplate. Insecticons are the only Diaclone-descended Transformers that were originally part of the evil Waruder Army. This version also came witha small die-cast and plastic driver that could be seated in the opening cockpit. His US Patent, titled Reconfigurable insect toy was filed on August 21, 1984 (U.S. Patent No. USD287155 S).

Description

Bombshell transforms into a black robotic weevil. His chest is purple painted die-cast metal, and his shoulder joints are molded in yellow plastic, giving the appearance of bulging eyes. Bombshell features a long, chrome snout with two small elbowed antenna near its tip. His stubby insect legs are all attached via his robot mode arms. His simple transformation follows a common pattern with many vehicular transformers, folding the arms out to the side, and swinging the legs down from the rear. The weevil snout is positioned pointed forward over Bombshell’s robot mode head. Bombshell includes a chrome gun that mimics his snout and antennae. Bombshell’s chest features a translucent yellow door which serves no purpose in the Transformers release.
Date stamp location: inside chest cavity
Rubsign location: right rearof insect mode/back of left robot leg

Collector Notes

Like so many former Diaclone toys before, Bombshell is prone to some breakage. His most common problem is with the center insect leg on each robot mode breaking off. Another nearly universal problem is the joint attaching his head cover and snout to the main body loosening, making it difficult to to balance the snout over his robot head, or worse, droop down in weevil mode. Other than this, Bombshell is rather sturdy.

Variants

Bombshell has two primary production variations in his original run, stemming from the use of two separate sets of tooling. The first is nearly identical to the Diaclone casting, with a rubsign applied on the shell of the weevil, and a depression in the hinge of the chrome snout allowing it to bend forward further in robot mode while allowing the robot face cover to be moved further back. The second tooling set removed this depression, and added a raised outline around the rubsign. Both molds were modified to add Hasbro to the copy stamp, and eventually a third mold was introduced at the end including a combination of the refinements from the previous two.
Type 1a: "創作・著作物 ©Takara Co. Ltd. 1980,1983" [on raised block] stamp, snout hinge has scoop for greater range of motion, large collar on wheel attachment points, wheels have collar facing body, snout has two pill-shaped bumps on end, gun has four ridges around barrel and two rings around barrel tips, long handle with squared-off attachment point, and no number
Type 1b: "創作・著作物 ©Takara Co. Ltd. 1980,1983" stamp, snout hinge is squared-off with reduced range of motion, thin collar on wheel attachment points, wheels have collar facing body, snout end has no bumps, gun has no ridges on barrel and two rings around barrel tips, long handle with rounded attachment point, and no number, raised ridge outlining rubsign
Type 2a: "©Hasbro '80.'83. 創作・著作物 ©Takara Co. Ltd. 1980,1983" [on raised block] stamp, snout hinge has scoop for greater range of motion, large collar on wheel attachment points, wheels have collar facing body, snout has two pill-shaped bumps on end, gun has four ridges around barrel and two rings around barrel tips, long handle with squared-off attachment point, and no number
Type 2b: "©Hasbro '80.'83. 創作・著作物 ©Takara Co. Ltd. 1980,1983" stamp, snout hinge is squared-off with reduced range of motion, thin collar on wheel attachment points, wheels have collar facing body, gun has no ridges on barrel and two rings around barrel tips, long handle with rounded attachment point, and no number, raised ridge outlining rubsign
Type 3: "©Hasbro '80.'83. 創作・著作物 ©Takara Co. Ltd. 1980,1983" stamp, snout hinge is squared-off with reduced range of motion, thin collar on wheel attachment points, wheels have no collars, snout has two pill-shaped bumps on end, gun has four ridges around barrel and no rings around barrel tips, long short with squared-off attachment point, and no number, rubsign in recessed rectangle

Availability

Bombshell was available in 1985. He was available again in Japan in 1987 and 1988 as a mail-away exclusive. Bombshell was reissued in Japan in the 2004 Transformers Collection with Kickback and Shrapnel in the Insectrons set. This set also included three pink rubber Energon cubes that could fit inside the Insecticons’ chest compartments. The US received a reissue set by means of the Universe 2 line in 2009, as a Toys ’R’ Us exclusive. This version did not include the Energon cubes.
Case Assortments (Item#/Asst#): 1985: Insecticons (E5923/5720), 8 per 24
MSRP: $4.99 (1985)
Packaging: Window box with top flap, inner plastic bubble sealed to cardboard insert, Tech Spec on back
Robot Points: 1 Decepticon
Paperwork included:Instructions, sticker sheet, Tech Specs Decoder, (early) 1984 Catalog, (late) 1985 Catalog (small), "Reinforcements from Cybertron"

Redecos & Retools

Bombshell’s mold was first used in 1983 to make Diaclone Kabutron, available alone or in the Insecter Robo Set. The reissue version of the mold was redecorated into Salvo, available only in the e-HOBBY Insectron Clone Army as part of Collector’s Edition. This version’s color palette resembles the original Diaclone deco, but retains the Transformers insignia and rubsign.

Character Bio

FUNCTION: PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE
“The mind is my playpen.”
Can turn foes into helpless accomplices by injecting cerebro-shells into their heads (robot or human) with his stinger...gives him control of their minds...has a cruel sense of humor...arms himself by having his victims debase themselves. In insect mode this Insecticon can fly 5.7 miles. In robot mode wears head-mounted mortar...throws 50 pound explosive shell 8 miles. Cerebro-shells can be used against him if removed from victim's head.

STRENGTH INTELLIGENCE SPEED ENDURANCE RANK COURAGE FIREPOWER SKILL
5 8 4 5 6 5 6 9